By Tanya Brown
A Royal Palm Beach homeowner thought they hired a licensed contractor for a renovation in April 2024, but nearly two years later, detectives say the man behind the project was never licensed in Florida and is now facing fraud.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) said that Lawrence Hawkins presented himself as a licensed contractor and provided fake credentials to verify himself. He accepted the victim’s payment and began work that was later deemed incomplete and substandard. The homeowner discovered the deception after hiring an attorney, leading to a report filed in July 2025.
An arrest warrant for Hawkins was issued in October, and he was arrested on December 16 for fraudulently impersonating a contractor, according to PBSO.
In April 2024, a Royal Palm Beach, Florida resident hired Lawrence Hawkins to complete a home renovation. Hawkins presented himself as a licensed contractor and provided paperwork to verify his credentials. A bid and completion date were agreed upon, payment was made, and Hawkins began the renovation. After several months, the work remained incomplete and was determined to be substandard. The victim subsequently retained an attorney to address the matter, at which time it was discovered that Hawkins was not a licensed contractor in the State of Florida. A report was filed with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office in July 2025. Following an extensive investigation, detectives obtained a warrant on October 27, 2025, charging Hawkins with unlicensed contracting. On December 16, 2025, Hawkins was arrested for fraudulently impersonating a contractor.
Authorities urge residents to verify contractor licenses through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation before hiring for home improvement projects.